A total of four Russian strategic bombers were apparently conducting practice bombing runs near Alaska, NORAD said. Two of the planes, both Tu-95 Bear H aircraft, came within 50 miles of the California coast.

Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told the Free Beacon the incursion began Monday around 4:30 p.m. Pacific time. The planes were picked up on radar as they approached the U.S. air defense zone near the western Aleutian islands. Two U.S. Air Force F-22 jets were scrambled and interception the bombers over the Aleutians.

Two the planes turned around while the remaining pair flew southeast into the U.S. northern air defense zone off the coast of northern California. Two U.S. F-15 jets were then deployed and intercepted the bombers. The Russian planes then turned around and headed west.